Is anyone able to see an 8.1 shared drive from XP?

I can connect to the XP drives from 8.1, but not the other way around. I get path not found errors. I'm using NetGear USB wireless adapters and a Motorola router. All other networking works fine. I have spent days checking all settings that many people have suggested. The workgroup names are the same, all shares are turned on, all required services seem to be running. I've tried static and dynamic ips. I'm at my wit's end and beginning to think it is impossible.

If you can connect to an 8.1 machine from an XP machine, please let me know so at least I know it is possible. Thanks.

Yes, you can !<br>Only it seems not to be evident.<br>On the XP machine in Win.Explorer, type \\Name-of-your8.1machine<br>Wait a couple seconds, and all the shares will be visible.

Xyberbat said:

Yes, you can !<br>Only it seems not to be evident.<br>On the XP machine in Win.Explorer, type \\Name-of-your8.1machine<br>Wait a couple seconds, and all the shares will be visible.

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Thanks, but that's the problem, that doesn't work. I know you have to use a same name workgroup and not a home group. I have all the shares and permissions turned on. I have been way beyond this, even making changes in the registry to make sure all required services are running, still no luck. But at least it is good to know that it is evidently possible because it works for you.

Sorry that I cannot help more.
The only other thing that I can think of that I did on my 8.1 box, is that I use the "Classic Shell" 3rd party software, and I had to give "everyone" read+write permissions on the shares in 8.1. No problems on my side.
You have the same username/password on both pc's? (seems to be required by MSoft)
Using a MicroSoft account will not work - you have to use a local account.
Good luck trying to sort it out, though.

Home Group was never meant to be for Windows XP. Home Group was Microsoft's way of trying to make network sharing more dummy proof, by using Library's to connect to, instead of just mapping a floder.

With the Library's, you can include multiple folders. Mapped Network Shsred and Home Groups con co-exist just fine on a network. That is until Home Group gets corrupted.